Southern Cross Medical Library

The purpose of the Southern Cross Medical Library is to provide information of a general nature to help you better understand certain medical conditions. Always seek specific medical advice for treatment appropriate to you. This information is not intended to relate specifically to insurance or healthcare services provided by Southern Cross. For more articles go to the Medical Library index page.

Irritable bowel syndrome - symptoms and treatment

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder of the small and large intestine (bowel). Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain and alternating constipation and diarrhoea. There is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) so the aim of treatment is to control symptoms. In many cases, this can be achieved by managing diet, lifestyle and stress.

General Information

Strictly speaking, IBS is not a disease – it is a group of symptoms that occur together. The condition is unpleasant and bothersome but does not result in lasting damage to the intestinal tissues or increase the risk of intestinal cancer. It is important, however, to get a proper diagnosis so that more serious illnesses that cause similar symptoms can be ruled out.

IBS appears to be a relatively common condition but exactly how common is not known due to difficulty in diagnosing the disorder and because few people (only 1 in 20) go to see a doctor because of the symptoms. However, it has been estimated that IBS affects about 7% of New Zealanders.

The condition tends to appear when people are young or middle-aged (before age 45 years), rather than later in life, and affects twice as many women as men. Functional bowel syndrome, nervous colon, spastic colon, and irritable colon are other names for IBS.

Causes

It is not known what causes IBS. What is known is that the condition involves disruption in the normal movement of the muscles in the outer wall of the intestine. Intestinal wall muscles relax and contract (tighten) automatically to push food and waste through the intestine so that water and nutrients can be absorbed by the body.

In IBS, the muscles may relax and contract more rapidly than normal so that less water is absorbed, which results in soft and watery stools, i.e. diarrhoea. Or the muscles may contract and relax more slowly than normal so that too much water is absorbed, which results in hard stools, i.e. constipation. The muscles may also contract suddenly and very strongly, i.e. spasm, which causes painful abdominal cramps and gas to become trapped in the intestine causing bloating.

It is not known what causes intestinal muscles to stop working properly in IBS. One suggestion is that communication signals between the brain and the intestine are disrupted and this results in abnormal function of the intestinal muscles. Potential causes of IBS include:

Hypersensitivity: some people with IBS have a lower pain threshold to bloating and cramping in their intestines.

Stress: stressful events, such as work or marriage difficulties, or the death of someone close, may also trigger symptoms of IBS. Psychological stress can be expressed through physical symptoms. Stress can also worsen IBS.

Body chemicals: levels of neurotransmitters (chemicals that transmit nerve signals) and digestive tract hormones are altered in some people with IBS. Reproductive hormones appear to worsen symptoms.

Food sensitivity: many people with IBS report that some foods and beverages can cause symptoms.

Signs and symptoms

IBS affects people in different ways but pain and discomfort are symptoms that occur in all people with the condition. Bloating is also a common symptom. Some people may experience diarrhoea but not constipation, some people may experience constipation but not diarrhoea, and other people may experience bouts of both.

Symptoms not related to the intestine, such as painful periods, back pain, headaches and general tiredness may also be present in people with IBS. These symptoms may be due to stress or people with IBS worrying more about their health.

Symptoms similar to IBS may be a sign of something more serious so it is important to see your doctor for a full diagnosis.

Diagnosis

There is no test that can confirm a diagnosis of IBS. A diagnosis is made by a doctor asking questions about symptoms and other health problems, and ruling out other illnesses.

For a doctor to make a diagnosis of IBS, a person must have had recurrent abdominal pain on average at least one day per week during the previous three months that is associated with two or more of the following:

The pain is increased or unchanged after a bowel movement

A change in frequency of bowel movements

A change in stool form or appearance.

Your doctor may also ask whether you get pain in just one spot in your abdomen or if it moves around. In IBS, the pain does not usually stay in the same place. You might also have other general symptoms, such as backaches and feeling tired, which can help confirm the diagnosis of IBS.

To avoid unnecessary tests or operations, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for additional diagnosis. Blood tests for anaemia and signs of inflammation may be ordered to exclude other diseases of the intestines, such as intestinal infections, bowel cancer, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Treatment

There is no cure for IBS. Medications are used to help to control symptoms but are recommended only if they are really needed. There are things that people with IBS can do themselves that can help, such as finding ways to better cope with stress and anxiety, and learning more about the condition. Dietary changes may also be beneficial in controlling symptoms.

Medications

Anti-spasmodic drugs: relax the muscles in the wall of your intestines to stop painful spasms. They include mebeverine (Colofac), and hyoscine (Buscopan, Gastrosoothe).

Anti-diarrhea medications: over the counter medicines like loperamide may help control diarrhea.

Antidepressants: if symptoms include pain or depression a doctor may recommend medications that relieve depression.

Fibre supplements: can be used to treat constipation and possibly some of the other symptoms of IBS.

Peppermint oil: which can relax the muscles in your intestine, is sometimes used to treat symptoms of IBS.

Probiotics: products, such as probiotic yoghurts, soy drinks, and tablets and capsules (which contain live ‘friendly’ bacteria similar to those that live in your bowels) may help with digestion.

Alternative therapies

Some people report positive outcomes from alternative therapies. Examples include talking therapies that help people deal with stress and feelings, hypnotherapy and acupuncture.

Diet

Dietary changes can also help control symptoms of IBS. Eating at about the same time each day should help regulate bowel function.

Foods that typically make IBS symptoms worse should be avoided. Alcohol, chocolate, caffeinated beverages and dairy products are potential culprits.

If diarrhea is a problem, eating smaller meals more often, or eating smaller portions, may lessen symptoms.

If constipation is a problem, eating larger amounts of high-fibre foods may promote the movement of food through the intestines. High-fibre foods include whole grain breads, seeds, nuts, cereals, fruits and vegetables. However, some fruits and vegetables such as beans, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli are best avoided if gas and bloating are primary symptoms. And some people may find a gluten free diet (ie: without wheat, rye and barley) may be beneficial for their symptoms.

Keeping a food diary may help determine what effects different foods have for you.